Mp66-15 Daily Treatment With the Puberty Blocker, Leuprolide Acetate, Reduces Sex Differences and Lowers Anxiety-Like Behavior in Juvenile Rats

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction: Basic Research & Pathophysiology (MP66)1 May 2024MP66-15 DAILY TREATMENT WITH THE PUBERTY BLOCKER, LEUPROLIDE ACETATE, REDUCES SEX DIFFERENCES AND LOWERS ANXIETY-LIKE BEHAVIOR IN JUVENILE RATS Gabriela de Faria Oliveira, Leykza Carreras Simons-Kristin Ebert, Thomas Niepsuj, Amber T. Nguyen, Salma H. Gadelhak, Aimee K. Johnson, Ashwakh Abdalla, Eden Lev, Sofia G. Torres Roman, Joan S. Jorgensen, Walid A. Farhat, and Anthony Auger Gabriela de Faria OliveiraGabriela de Faria Oliveira , Leykza Carreras Simons-Kristin EbertLeykza Carreras Simons-Kristin Ebert , Thomas NiepsujThomas Niepsuj , Amber T. NguyenAmber T. Nguyen , Salma H. GadelhakSalma H. Gadelhak , Aimee K. JohnsonAimee K. Johnson , Ashwakh AbdallaAshwakh Abdalla , Eden LevEden Lev , Sofia G. Torres RomanSofia G. Torres Roman , Joan S. JorgensenJoan S. Jorgensen , Walid A. FarhatWalid A. Farhat , and Anthony AugerAnthony Auger View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/01.JU.0001009468.01097.19.15AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: During puberty, adolescents experience increased mental health risks, and this is exacerbated by gender-dysphoric changes in transgender and nonbinary (TNB) youth. Gender-affirming healthcare (GAHC) may reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in TNB youth, yet it is unclear why. This study examines the impact of leuprolide, a GnRH agonist, on social and anxiety-related behaviors, peripheral hormones and central gene expression in juvenile rats. METHODS: Juvenile Sprague Dawley rats (24 male and 24 female) were subdivided and injected with either 25 ug/kg of leuprolide acetate or saline from postnatal day (P) 27-39. Body weight and pubertal development in female rats were monitored. Juvenile rough and tumble play behavior was assessed from P27-37. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed on P38-39 via an elevated plus maze. Brain and trunk blood were collected on P40 for assays examining gene expression and hormonal profiles. Datasets were analyzed using two-way ANOVAs. RESULTS: Leuprolide treatment reduced anxiety-like behavior (p=0.011) and eliminated sex differences in rough and tumble play behavior (biological sex: p=0.006; treatment: p=0.007). Leuprolide lowered FSH levels (p=0.028) and eliminated sex differences in growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, testosterone, androstenedione, and corticosterone levels (p<0.001). In the amygdala, control females have higher levels of Arc mRNA than control males (p=0.006), and leuprolide eliminated this sex difference by elevated levels in males (p=0.001). Leuprolide treatment delayed vaginal opening in female rats (p=0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Leuprolide treatment reduced anxiety-like behavior and eliminated sex differences in rough-and-tumble play behavior and ARC mRNA levels within the adolescent amygdala. These findings have clinical relevance for TNB youth receiving GAHC, as it contributes to the intended use of puberty blockers in stopping sex differences from developing further with the potential benefit of lowering anxiety-like behavior. Further examination with long-term studies in conjunction with other GAHC is required to better understand clinical implications of Leuprolide treatment. Source of Funding: Collaborative Health Sciences Program Grant, Wisconsin Partnership Program © 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 211Issue 5SMay 2024Page: e1091 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2024 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.Metrics Author Information Gabriela de Faria Oliveira More articles by this author Leykza Carreras Simons-Kristin Ebert More articles by this author Thomas Niepsuj More articles by this author Amber T. Nguyen More articles by this author Salma H. Gadelhak More articles by this author Aimee K. Johnson More articles by this author Ashwakh Abdalla More articles by this author Eden Lev More articles by this author Sofia G. Torres Roman More articles by this author Joan S. Jorgensen More articles by this author Walid A. Farhat More articles by this author Anthony Auger More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...